Spraying device



May 1, 1951 E. o. NORRIS 2,550,714

* SPRAYING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 3, 1946 m Ivan "mum- Illlll'l l ATTORNEY May 1, 1951 Filed April 3, 1946 E. O. NORRIS SPRAYING DEVICE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY E. O. NORRIS SPRAYING DEVICE May 1', 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 3, .1946

INVENTOR 9W4/PD 0. Na/evs ATTORNEY M y 1951 E. o. NORRIS 2,550,714

SPRAYING DEVICE Filed April s, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented May 1, 1951 STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,550,714 7 SPBAYING DEVICE Edward 0. Norris, Westport, Conn. Applicationfiprll 3, 1946, Serial No. 659,236

as :1 This invention relates generally to spraying appara-tits of the centrifugal type wherein a liquid ls ted by suitable means to an atomizirig' dislf abutor, rotating at high speed, which receives, atonijizes, and projects the liquid a finely divided spray, through a suitable opening "in the f apparatus, against the surface to be sprayed.

More specifically, the invention relates to a {.poir ere centrifugal spraying apparatus of the lied all position type which is capable of el'ng'op'erated at any angle, the general object f the invention being to provide a-device of this s haifacter which is simple, compact,v light and efficient in operation and which is especially adapted for use by relatively unskilled operators.

T Anotherobject of the invention is to provide "device of this character which contains a inimum number of operating parts Another object of the invention is t provide i. a portable spraying apparatus having fa high spee d' rotary collecting case which is positively oi-wen through suitable driving connectionsby axh gh'speed motor, and a centrifugal atomizing idistrlbutor which is driven at a greater rotary speed than the speed of the case; through contact wi l the annular or liqui held against the peripheral w'allcf the collecting'cas'e by centrii tu l l acti n,

" npther object of the invention is to provide a t ble spraying apparatus having .a high speed eating. case in which the possibility of the l quid such as paint separating into its component parts. of pigment and oil is eliminated.

Qther and. more limited objects of the invenj wi11 be. apparent from. the following spec-ication and the accompanying d aw or part thereof wherein;

" l is a side elevation of a portable sprayice constructed according to my invention;

his front elevation thereof; is i "is an enlarged. horizontal section' taken Fig. 4 is an enlargedv vertical section taken on the line 4-4. of Fig. 2, the scale of Fig. 4 being lessthanthc scale OfF E- 3; 7

Fist 5 is a fra mentary transverse section taken substantially on the line 5-55 of Fi 4; v

Fig. 6 is a transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig; 7 is: a. transverse sectiontaken on the line Figs 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a mod fied form at the device; and Fig; 91s a: front elevation of the modified form,

6 Claims. (01. 299-63) 2 parts being broken away and other parts being broken away for purposes of illustration.

My improved spraying apparatus comprises generally a rotatin collecting case and a centrifugal distributor ,operatively disposed therein. The collecting case is rotated at approximately 10,000 revolutions per minute by a series type high speed motor enclosed in a suitable housing. The distributor is rotatably mounted within the collecting case with the periphery thereof in close proximity to the inner peripheral wall of the collecting case, with the plane of rotation thereof being at an acute angle to the plane of rotation of the collecting case. The liquid is fed into the collecting case, either by gravity from a container secured directly to the apparatus or by pressure through a flexible hose from a container remote from the apparatus. A control valve is provided to regulate the rate at which the liquid is-fed into the collecting case. 'After the liquid enters the collecting case it is thrown by centrifugal action out against the inner peripheral wall of the case where it forms an annular film which rotates with the case. The periphery of the distributor is located in such close proximityto the inner peripheral wall of. the collecting case that it. dips into this film of liquid and is rotated thereby at approximately the same peripheral speed as the collecting case. ameter of the distributor is considerably less than the diameter of the collecting case, the'distributor is driven a correspondingly higher speed than the collecting case. Since the plane of rotation of the distributor is disposed at an acute angle across the plane of rotation of the collecting case, the edge of the distributor cuts across the advancing film of liquid on the inner peripheral wall of the collecting case and agitates the liquid to prevent centrifugal separation of the liquid into itscomponent parts, such as pigment and oil in the case of paint. As the annular film ofliquid in the collecting case comes into contact with the distributor, a part thereof is first carried inwardly on the distributor towards the axis thereof and is then thrown by.

centrifugal action tangentially outward from the periphery of the distributor in a ring or band therearound. Part of this ring or band of spray is projected out through the open end of the collecting case, at an angle to the axis thereof, and the balance of the ring or band of spray is intercepted by the case and is returned to the annular peripheral film. Means are also provided through which the distributor is automatically thrown into or out of operative relationship But, since the -di 3 with the collecting case as liquid is admitted to or cut off therefrom.

Referring now to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral indicates a motor housing in which is mounted a high speed series type motor having an armature shaft 2 which extends out through the forward end of the housing. A handle 3 bywhich the device is held and manipulated in operation is secured to and projects downwardly from the motor housing I. A ring 4 which is removably secured to the forward end of the motor housing I has a casing 5 secured thereto by screws 6 (Fig. 3). The casing 5 has a centrally disposed circular opening 5a. through the forward end thereof, with the plane of the opening disposed at an angle to the axis of the armature shaft 2 as is clearly shown in Figsa 1 and 3. A cup-shaped collecting case I having a hub 8 is secured to the projecting endfof the.

armature shaft 2 by a nut 9. The collecting case I is mounted within the casing 5 with} the forward end thereof partially projecting out through the opening 5a, and it comprises a base I formed integrally with a forwardly projecting curved annular wall I The forward end of the annular wall I is flanged inwardly as indicated at I2 and terminates in an opening I3 concentric with the axis of the armature shaft 2 and lying in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the armature shaft 2 and angularlydisposed with respect to the plane of the opening a. A frusto-conical cut-off ring I4 is concentrically secured to the collecting case 1 within the opening I3 by a plurality of legs I5. Thecollecting case "I has a chamber I6 therein between the base In and a semi-spherical rear wall ll of the case. An annular series of spaced inclined openings I8 provide communication between the chamber I6 and the interior of thecase forwardly of the base l0.

.A centrifugal distributor 26 is rotatably mounted within the collecting case 1 with the periphery thereof in close proximity to the inner peripheral wall II as indicated at 2| in Figs. 4 and 5. The.

axis of the distributor is disposed at an angle to the axis of the collecting case I and lies in a horizontal-plane above the axis of the case I, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The plane of rotation of the distributor 26 is disposed at an angle to the plane of the opening I3 of the collecting case and intersects the opening I3. The

The innerend of the hub. 24 has an axial bore 29 in which is secured the, reduced end 36 of a shaft 3| which is slidably and rotatably mounted in a bushing 32 rigidly secured by a pin 33 in a: boss 34. The boss 34 is formed integrally with a plate 35 which is secured to the outer end. of a semi-circular support 36 secured to and projecting forwardly from the ring 4 about the casing-,5. The bushing 32 extends into a bore 36in the forward end of 'the'hu'b 24. The shaft 3| bore 39 in the shaft 3|. A spring 43 and a ball 44 are disposed, as shown in Fig. 3, within the bore 39 in the shaft 3|. When the feeding of liquid to the collecting case I is cut off, as is hereinafter described, the spring 43 urges the distributor from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3 to the position shown in dotted lines therein. But as soon as the feeding of liquid is resumed, the pressure of the liquid film causes the ring-shaped cup generally indicated by the nuhas an axial bore 39 therein, and has a threaded v outer end which extends out beyond the end of the bushing 32 within the boss 34. A nut 46 on the threaded end of the shaft 3| permits a..lim-..

A screw 4| having a knurled adjust-' meral 46 is disposed about the hub 8 of the collecting case 1 between the forward end ofthe motor housing and the -;rea1' .wa11. f| of the collecting case. The cup 46 is suitably-secured t0, the ring 4 and comprises a rear wall 41 and inner and outer annular side walls 48 and 49-which extend forwardly from the rear Iwall 41, The flforwardopen end 5|] of the cup 46 extends into the chamber I6 through an opening 5| in-the rear wall of the collecting case. A valve body 52, having chambers 53 and 54- therein which are comiect ed by a passageway 55, is secured to the outer wall 49 of qthe cup 46. The'chamber 54 communicates with the cup 46 through a port 56. A valve disc 51 which'is operative to open or close the passageway 55 is secured within the chamber 54 to the inner end of a valve stem 58 Whichextends out from the valve body 52 through a packing gland 59. A spring 66 .Within the chamber 54- normally urges the valve 51- into position to close the passageway 55 as shown in Fig. 6. Liquid is fed into the chamber 53. through a tube 6| which is secured'to and projects upwardly from the valve body 52 A threaded coupling 62. is secured to. the .upper end of the tube 6|.

j Liquid may be supplied to the chamber 53 in either of two ways as desired.- As'shown herein the liquid is fed by gravity from a container 63 which is removably swivelly secured to the coupling 62. But if desired liquid may be supplied under pressure from a remote container through a flexible hose connected to the tube 6| by the coupling 62. The movement of" the valve 51 to open the passageway 55 is effected by the operator through a lever 64 which is pinned to one end of a'shaft. 65 rotatably supported by brackets 66 pr ojecting out from the motor housing I. The other end'of the shaft 65 has an arni'6'l pinned thereto which extends downwardly therefrom in alignmentwith the valve stem 58. Movement of lever 64 towards the handle3 will rock the shaft 65, which through the arm 6-! and valve stem 58 will move the valve 51 to open the passageway 55. The rate at which liquid is fed is dependent upon -.the distance the valve 51 is moved from theend of the passageway 55 within the chamber 54. An adjustable stop 68 isprovided to limit the movement of the lever 64 and consequently, the fmaximum opening of the valve 51.

' Operation When the passageway 55 is opened, liquid will flow from the chamber 53 into the chamber 54 and. thence through the port 56 into the cup-46.

From the cup 46 the liquid will flow through the open end 50 thereof into the chamber I6. Cena trifugal action will force the liquid in the chamber l6 out against the outer spherical wall thereor and through the inclined openings I8 into the interior of the collectin case 2'. As the liquid enters the collecting case through the openings l8 it is thrown by centrifugal action against the inner peripheral wall ll about which it forms a film which rotates with the collecting case. The periphery of the distributor discs 22 and 25 dip into. this film of liquid and are rotated thereby at approximately the same peripheral speed as the collecting case. Due to the angular relationship between the plane of rotation of the collecting case and the plane of rotation of the distributor-discs, the liquid is highly agitated as it comes into contact with the distributor discs. This agitation prevents centrifugal separation of th liquid into its component parts which would otherwise occur if the liquid is non-homogenous due to the high speed of rotation of the collecting case. As the liquid contacts the distributor discs it first travels inwardly thereon towards the axis thereof and then is thrown tangentially therefrom in a ring or band of finely atomized spray completely surrounding the distributor discs. A portion of this band of atomized spray is projected out through the cut off ring I4 and the balance thereof is intercepted by and retained within the collecting case for re-spraying; The flange l2 and cut-off ring I4 are so shaped and disposed with respect to the collecting case that any spray striking them will be returned to the collecting case. As soon as the feeding of liquid to the] collecting case is stopped by the valve 51 the distributor is moved from the full line position to the dotted line position, as shown in Fig. 3, by the spring 43. But, as previously stated, when the feeding of liquid is resumed the distributor immediately snap-s back to the full line operative position against the pressure of the spring 43.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown means whereby the distributor is mechanically thrown into and out of operative relationship with the collecting case as liquid is admitted to or cut off therefrom. In these figures the distributor and the mechanism for rotatably supporting it within the collecting case are slightly modified. The balance of the device is the same as is shown in Figs. 1 to 7 and the same reference numerals are applied thereto.

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9. In the construction shown in this form I employ a distributor 18 which consists of a single disc H, similar to the disc 22, which has an annular flange l3 and is secured to a shaft 14. The distributor '58, when in operative position, is disposed in the same relationship to the collecting case as is the distributor 28, so that when in operation it will project a portion of a band of atomized spray out through the open end of the collecting case 1 in the same manner as the distributor 29. The shaft 14 is rotatably mounted in a bore 15 in a bushing 16 which is rotatably mounted in a boss 1! integral with the plate 35. The shaft 14 is retained in the bushing 16 by a collar 18 on the end thereof and the bushing 16 is held in the boss H by a collar 19 on the outer end thereof. The axis of the bore 15 in the bushing IE is disposed at an angle to the axis of the bushing as is clearly shown in Fig. 8. An arm 88 secured to the collar (9 is pivotally connected as by a ball and socket joint 8| to one end of a link 82. The other end of the link 82 is connected by a ball and socket joint 83 to an arm 84 secured to the extended end 85 of the shaft 65.

ing case.

Thus, when the shaft 65 is rocked to open or close the passageway controlling the admission of liquid into the collecting case "1, the bushing'lfi is also rotated in the boss H, which moves the distributor between the full line and dotted line positions shown in Fig. 8. When the distributor is in the full line position, which is the operative position, it will project spray out through the open end of the collecting case; but when it is'in the dotted line position, all of the spray thrown out from the periphery of the distributor will be intercepted by and retained within the collect- The arrangement of the bushing "H5 within the boss "l1 and the connections between the bushing 16 and the shaft is such that when the passageway 55 is closed by the valve 51 to prevent feeding of liquid to the collecting case 1 the distrihutor 18 will be in the dotted line inoperative position (Fig. 8), and when the lever 84 is operated to open the passageway 55 to admit liquid to the collecting case the distributor will be moved from the inoperative dotted position to the full line operative position (Fig. 8).

Although the apparatus is particularly adapted for paint spraying, as it is obvious that the apparatus can be used equally well for atomizing and spraying other liquids, such as a liquid dis- :lnfectant.

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific construction shown and described herein as various modifications can be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a spraying apparatus, a rotary collecting case having an annular peripheral wall forming a channel for receiving a spray forming material and having an axial spray opening, means supplying a spray forming material to said case, means driving said case to cause the material to form a rotating peripheral layer on said wall, a distributor comprising a disc, means rotatably mounting said disc in said case with its peripheral edge dipping into said peripheral layer of material with its axis of rotation at an angle less than normal to the axis of rotation of said case,

and with the plane of rotation of the disc intersecting said spray opening, said disc being constructed and arranged to be driven by the rotating layer of material and to pick up material therefrom and discharge the same centrifugally as a spray, a portion of which passes out through said spray opening and the remainder of which is intercepted by said collecting case and returned to said peripheral layer.

2. A spraying device as set forth in claim 1 in which the means supplying material to the case comprises a member having an annular chamber coaxial with said case and rotatable therewith, having radially inclined passages extending from said chamber to said case to feed said material centrifugally to said case and having a supply passage feeding said material to said chamber.

3. A spraying device as set forth in claim 2 in which said member has a stationary annular passage coaxial with said annular chamber and opening thereto and a supply pipe is connected to feed said material to said last passage.

4. A spraying device as set forth in claim 1 in which said distributor is mounted to be shifted into non-spraying position and manual means is connected to control both the shifting of said distributor and the supply of said material to said case in a sense to cut off the feed and render the distributor inoperative for spraying when said manual means is actuated.

5. In a spraying device as set forth in claim 1, a support carrying said distributor, spring means on said support urging said distributor to nonspraying position and compressible under the pressure of the layer of said material to allow said distributor to shift on said support to spraying position. 6. In a spraying device as set forth in claim 1. a shaft carrying said distributor, a support carrying a rotatable bushing, said shaft being mounted in and non-coaxial with said bushing, and a manual control member connected to rotate said bushing.

- EDWARD O. NORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 406,171 Johansson July 2, 1889 1,779,336 Riley Oct. 21, 1930 1,973,051 Doolittle Sept. 11, 1934 1,977,419 Adams et a1. Oct. 16, 1934 2,063,048 Norris Dec. 8, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 7 637,242 France Jan. 24, 1928 

